553 Crumbling Image
I asked the guide to buy us two tickets. I dunno how much it was, I just gave him a lot.
The guide looked anxious as he gave me the change.
"Are you sure about this? Can I really... come with you?"
The guide who went back to his normal speech pattern kept confirming.
"This seating position is the priciest there is... The front row and right next to the ring..."
I specifically asked for it. I wanted to watch the match from the nearest seat.
For two people, me and the guide.
Why, you ask? I mean I'm just gonna get lost right away entering such a huge building by myself. Definitely would without a guide, I've never been here before.
I could've asked him to only lead the way and get back to me after the match is over but that doesn't feel right.
"Alright, get me to our seats. Ah, also, is there a toilet here? I gotta go."
Thus we entered the coliseum. Turned out the passages insides weren't particularly winding. There's a lot of straight paths. There are junctions of course, but they all have easily readable signboards put up.
(This isn't what I imagined though? Was sure there were gonna be thugs blocking passages or drunkards making ruckus all over, where are they?)
Lots of people pass by us in the passages. All of them are looking excited, chatting fervently with their friends about matches.
None of them is making a commotion or going wild. They're all so well mannered.
"Hey, is this how it always like? I thought this place would be full of rogue characters and all."
I ended up asking.
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"Ah, you have a point. A lot of people new to this place imagined the same. But all the spectators here know their manners. Yeah we'd go off during the matches. But this is how we're usually like after."
Apparently this is normal. Even well built men with evil-looking faces like the typical 'Ya**za' are keeping to themselves.
I've caught sight of people that look like they're in risky business. And they're all acting calm.
Even though they'd look the part if they laughed, 'Gahaha' while shoving other guests in their path.
"Balgaranda is the hero of this city. Of course those who look up to him all follow his creed. Goes to show how influential he is."
What is this hero's creed anyway? This guide never mentioned it.
Just before I could ask for an explanation, we arrived at the audience seat surrounding a ring-shaped arena.
It's structured exactly like that. Y'know, that.
"What is this, the Dark Tournament? No wait, I guess this place is bigger. There's people as far as eyes can see. They're like ga**ge."
The audience seat is completely filled with absolutely no vacant spot. The people here all look like they can't wait for the match to start. Yet, they're all being eerily quiet.
In the meantime, the guide got me to our seats. Reserved seating areas exist here.
I'm in the front row. The ring is right before my nose.
"Phew, did my business and all, no worries of missing the best part of the show now. Can't wait to see what this great hero of theirs all about."
I took a deep breath to avoid getting swept in the weird mood wrapping the arena and sat quietly.
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